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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffIf tinea versicolor is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter antifungal medicine, you may need a prescription-strength topical or oral medication. Such medications for tinea versicolor treatment include:
Topical
- Selenium sulfide 2.5 percent lotion
- Ciclopirox (Loprox) cream, gel or lotion
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral) cream or shampoo
Oral
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral) tablets
- Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsules
- Fluconazole (Diflucan) tablets
Even after successful treatment, your skin color may remain uneven for several weeks, or even months. Also, the infection may return in warm, humid weather. In persistent cases, you may need to take a medication once or twice a month to prevent the infection from recurring.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Tinea versicolor. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2009.
- Dhar AD. Tinea versicolor. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch120/ch120e.html. Accessed Jan. 4, 2010.
- Berger TG. Dermatologic disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx? aID=747. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- McCall CO, et al. Eczema, psoriasis, cutaneous infections, acne, and other common skin disorders. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2864389. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
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